Games such as this one are exactly why the Phillies shuttled a couple of their top prospects to Toronto to pry “Doc” away from the Blue Jays.

You do that to get a pitcher for which there are many nicknames – “horse,” “ace,” “stopper” – in essence, a guy who is his best when the chips are down.

The Phillies need Halladay because they need a win, having fallen three games behind the white-hot Braves in the NL East, and Halladay far and away gives them their best chance at getting one.

It’s probable that Halladay won’t be as good as he was the last time out, when he breezed through the Florida Marlins’ lineup three times as easily as he knocks out a 7 a.m. workout. It’s quite likely that Johnny Vander Meer’s record of consecutive no-hitters will still be standing come Saturday. But the amazing thing about Halladay is that you believe that indeed he could do it again.

In reality, this game is no more about Halladay, though, than it is about the Phillies’ offense. For the past 11 games, the offense has been a shell of its former self because of a combination of slumps and injuries that has turned the clock back on the lineup – as in back to February and March, when you would actually expect to see two or three reserves playing every day. In the Charlie Manuel era, the Phillies’ fate has usually been tied to the offense, and this season is no different.

Your Gameday Beer – Great Divide Wild Raspberry Ale

The arrival of hot weather means raspberries are almost in season – an excuse to try one of these 5.6 percent brews. As expected it’s sweet, tart and fruity but not exactly an authentic framboise. It has a dark amber appearance, which gives the beer a base for the flavors of red and black raspberries. It has a lot of carbonation, so be prepared. Pair it with spicy Mexican food. – By Brian

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75 Comments

The SHART Factor

June 4, 2010 at 5:48 pm

Who would have ever thought that the Padres would be eleven games above .500 at 53 games into the season. Most pundits thought they were a shoe-in for last place in their division. While the Phightins are four games above .500 with 52 games played, they have been euphemistically lackluster for a couple of weeks. In fact they outright stunk and played uninspired baseball. The Phils should win this one and score some runs for Roy Halladay. If they don’t then that will indeed speak volumes. Let’s keep our spirits positive and our hopes high. Maybe the positive Karma and home cooking will make a difference.

@Ed: I’ve also been getting that “posting too quickly” error frequently for the last week or so, at times that don’t seem to correspond to me, you know, actually posting quickly. But this is the first time that I’ve gotten that error on my first post of the day near the beginning of the comments.

Howard still looks lost out there. Manuel should sit the dude for a day or two. He struck out on three pitches earlier with the bases loaded.
That is pressing too hard. Great to get a win. Nice job Lidge

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I’m not one to blame the bench as you all know 3-4-5 are struggling. However, if it looks like Jimmy is still having problems with the calf how about looking at Craig Council? He’d be a one and done and can be had for cheap.